Ayurvedic Treatment For Shaken Baby Syndrome With Herbal Remedies
Abstract
Shaken Baby Syndrome or Shaken impact syndrome is the most common cause of serious neurological injury or even death among infants. This condition is seen when a child is vigorously shaken intentionally or unintentionally as a result of inconsolable crying by the baby or purple crying that causes some permanent disorder to the child or infant or even death to the child. As a result of shaking, subdural or retinal haemorrhage can also be seen. Children who are unusually shaken due to prolonged crying by their parents, relatives or by babysitters can make the head of the baby move to and fro that causes severe brain damage. Babies who are less than 1 year of age are more prone to it because they cry longer and are easier to shake, but SBS can be found in children up to the age of 5 too.
Introduction
Shaken Baby Syndrome can be defined as injury caused to the brain of a child due to vigorous shaking of the baby by family members. It is also known as Shaken Impact Syndrome. This type of activity can result in significant brain injury. Vigorous shaking of a baby can be fatal and even it can result in some kind of permanent disability. New born babies especially those under age 2-4 months are at greatest risk of injury from shaking. Shaking a baby forcefully or vigorously can result in a whiplash effect that causes several internal injuries, even bleeding in the brain (brain haemorrhage) or bleeding from eyes may take place. This condition can get quite severe as it does not have any obvious external sign like external bleeding or bruising.
Causes
Causes of shaken Baby Syndrome may include –
- Vigorous shaking
- Underdeveloped neck muscles
- A baby with a larger head
- Blunt trauma
- Child abuse
- From shaking alone or from shaking with impact
- Thinness and pliability of neck muscle
- Softness of brain
- Larger subarachnoid space
Signs & Symptoms
A baby that attains lesser damage may show the following signs –
- Irritability
- Vomiting
- Uncontrolled and inconsolable crying
- Convulsions
- Increased sleep and inability to be awakened for longer time
- Affected posture of the baby
- Lost interest in eating and difficulty in swallowing
- Change in sleeping pattern
A baby that suffers severe damage from SBS may show –
- Unresponsiveness
- Loss of consciousness
- Irregular breathing
- No pulse may be found
- Seizures
- Cardiac arrest
- Coma
- Dilated pupils
These following signs and symptoms may result in cerebral palsy, mental retardation of the baby, severe motor dysfunction that can lead to muscle paralysis, blindness or even death.
Diagnosis
- History of the baby can be taken by the parents.
- CT Scan (Computerised tomography) – to check for any haemorrhage or site of it.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – to check for brain atrophy, subdural hematoma or any other kind of it – (most effective method)
- Skeletal survey – to look for skull fracture, broken ribs or any other fractured bone.
- X Ray
- Optic Fundus examination to rule out retinal haemorrhage or displacement of it.
- Routine blood tests
- Lumbar puncture
Possible Long Term Consequences
- Blindness
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Developmental delays (significant lag in child’s physical, cognitive & behavioural development)
- Spasticity (a condition where certain muscle continuously contract that causes stiffness or tightness of muscle that ultimately results in interference with physiological movement, speech and gait)
- Learning disabilities
- Cerebral palsy
Steps to be taken to avoid SBS includes
As shaking is usually a result of excessive or continuous crying termed as purple crying by infants so this can be replaced by rubbing the child’s back instead of shaking the child, taking a walk with the child.
Ayurvedic Aspect Of Shaken Baby Syndrome
Ayurveda considers Shaken Baby syndrome to be caused due to vitiated vata dosha and listed it among the vata vyadhis. Ayurveda says due to vitiation of vata dosha that might be caused by many reasons, some internal and some external too causes degenerative changes in the brain or the nervous system that results in various severe diseases. As the brain is the part of the body where vitality resides hence all sensations and all the movements done by the body are governed by the brain but when due to vata dosha this is altered it causes several other symptoms.
Samprapti (Pathophysiology) Of Shaken Baby Syndrome
This alteration in vata dosha may be due to various reasons like shaking as said above, or might be due to some other pathological conditions.
Symptoms Of Vitiated Vata
- Kampan (tremors)
- Decreased abilities of indriyas (sense organs)
- Altered mental functions
- Delusion
- Inability to sleep
- Weakness
- Confusion
Treatment
Shaken baby syndrome is a severe condition and needs immediate treatment as the entire life of the baby depends upon that. Here Ayurveda has some supportive treatment for this condition and betterment of the baby. These natural herbs are given to the baby for better mental function and improvement in general body functions. There are some herbal medications listed below by Planet Ayurveda.
Herbal Remedies For Shaken Baby Syndrome By Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda is an established brand and a GMP certified herbal supplement manufacturing company. The company has touched new heights as their product lovers worldwide are loving the brand. Planet Ayurveda brings the natural herbs and their benefits for mankind to lead a healthy life that is free from any adverse effects of chemicals. They follow all the traditional ancient scriptures of Ayurveda to produce all their herbal medications under the guidance and supervision of experts of Ayurveda. Ayurveda has always shown amazing results to certain diseases, and hence have some series of herbal drugs for shaking baby syndrome too.
Products List
- KUMAR KALYAN RAS
- NEUROPLAN SYRUP
- ARAVINDASAV
Dosage
- Kumar Kalyan Ras – 1 tablet twice a day.
- Neuro Plan Syrup – 1-2 teaspoon twice a day.
- Arvindasav – 10-20 ml mixed with equal parts of water, once or twice a day after meals.
Products Description
1. Kumar Kalyan Ras
Kumar Kalyan Ras is considered to be a very useful formulation in many health disorders in children like that in breathing problems. Kumar Kalyan Ras pacifies all the three doshas. This formulation also helps in the neurological functioning of children. It helps relieve weakness and loss of appetite or chronic illness of the baby. It contains the goodness of Ras sindur, aloe vera and swarna (gold) bhasma, mukta (pearl) bhasma. This preparation by Planet Ayurveda works as an immunomodulator for children.
2. Neuro Plan Syrup
Neuroplan syrup contains a number of medya aushadhis that includes Brahmi (Bacopa monnier), shankhpushpi (Convolvulus prostratus), mandukparni (Centella asiatica), jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), madhuyashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and many other herbal drugs that stimulates CNS (Central Nervous System) and enhances cognitive function of children that helps in overcoming symptoms of SBS and helps in overall development of the child.
3. Arvindasav
Arvindasav is a syrup formulated for children and infants by Planet Ayurveda, it has goodness of many herbs like kamal, kush, gambhari, amla, manjisht and a lot more that promotes growth and development of infants. It boosts appetite and immunity of the child and also strengthens physical and mental health. It also cures breathing disorders caused due to vigorous shaking of the baby.
Conclusion
This condition is caused by violent whiplash shaking of the baby that leads to cervical hyperextension which causes breathing difficulty and many other severe conditions. Hence, we can conclude that this severe and life threatening condition in children can easily be avoided just by a little awareness about the condition. Ayurveda works as a supportive management to this severe condition. Planet Ayurveda has listed some medications by following all the ancient Ayurvedic Scriptures for betterment of the baby from this severe condition.
